Journey through the 20th century with archival films on public affairs.

Covering American History C-SPAN style: with event coverage, eyewitness accounts, and discussions with authors, historians and teachers. Every weekend from 8am ET Saturday to 8am ET Monday on C-SPAN3.

In January, 2011, C-SPAN expanded its programming offerings with a new history-based service airing weekends on C-SPAN3. American History TV (AHTV) features programming geared toward history lovers with 48 hours every weekend of people and events that document the American story.

C-SPAN began C-SPAN3 operations in January 2001 as a digital service. C-SPAN3 is currently available in 49 million digital cable TV households and is streamed live online at C-SPAN.org.

At the time of the launch of American History TV, C-SPAN co-president Susan Swain said: "We’re hoping American History TV does for history enthusiasts what Book TV has done for non-fiction book lovers."

Most Recent Reel America Videos

July 13, 2019
Apollo 11 Astronaut Interviews

In a short NASA pre-launch interview, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin describe…
August 7, 2021
Arthur Claims the Gold

This 1975 film showcased Arthur Ashe’s win at the World Championship of Tennis Finals in Dallas. It was narrated by…
October 29, 2016
Mister American

This biographical film was produced by Dwight D. Eisenhower’s 1952 presidential campaign and features his…

August 22, 2020
A Ceiling on Your Home!

This post-World War II film argues for a continuation of wartime rent control and shows the difficulties veterans face…
June 17, 2017
President Reagan's Visit to West Berlin

American Forces Network (AFN-TV) presented coverage of President Reagan’s 1987 trip to West Berlin to mark the 750th birthday of…
June 4, 2022
The Battle of Midway

Hollywood director John Ford made an 18 minute documentary for the U.S. Navy about the Battle of Midway in June of…